Attendance
ATTENDANCE
Trevecca's graduate counseling programs are highly concentrated. Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Attendance is a prerequisite for student success in the course work and the personal and small group relationships facilitated in the class sessions. Professors record attendance at each class. Attendance records are essential to comply with federal regulations and accrediting agencies.
ONSITE STUDENTS
Tardy
Students are expected to be present when class begins and remain the entire class session. Students will be considered tardy if they arrive more than 30 minutes late for a class session or leave earlier than 30 minutes before the end of a class session. Two tardies will equal an absence. Even if a tardy is for a legitimate reason, participation points will still be deducted. Students exceeding the allowed tardies/absences may receive a failing grade and will be dropped from the course.
Absence - Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed one absence in courses that are five class sessions or more in length. Students are not allowed an absence for any course that has four class sessions or fewer in length. Even if an absence is for a legitimate reason or approved by appeal, participation points may still be deducted at the instructor’s discretion. Homework assignments for the class of absence are still due as scheduled. Students exceeding the allowed tardies/absences may receive a failing grade and will be dropped from the course.
A non-traditional graduate student enrolled in an online course must meet the course attendance policy for an online course as stated in the following section on “Students in Online Courses.”
FOR A 6-SESSION COURSE:
This course is scheduled to meet six (6) days. For a 6-session course, allowed absence is defined as missing no more than one class session or incurring no more than two tardies.
• 0 absences/tardies: No penalty
• 1 absence or 2 tardies: reduction in participation points; class absence form required
• More than 1 absence or exceeding 2 tardies: Failing grade for the course; student has the option to appeal
FOR A 12-SESSION COURSE:
This course is scheduled to meet twelve (12) days. For a 12-session course, allowed absence is defined as missing no more than 2 class sessions or incurring no more than two tardies.
• 0 absences/tardies: No penalty
• 1 absence: reduction in participation points; class absence form required
• 2 absences or 2 tardies: reduction in participation points; class absence form required
• More than 2 absences or exceeding 2 tardies: Failing grade for the course; student has the option to appeal
Students are required to complete the Graduate Counseling Class Absence Form for all absences. To complete the Class Absence Form go to www.trevecca.sharepoint.com Graduate Counseling Program Class Absence Form (under Forms and Evaluations)
If a student exceeds the allowed absence(s), the Graduate Counseling program attendance policy requires a student be given a failing grade for the course; in this situation, students have the option to submit an absence appeal by completing the Class Absence Form for the absence (or tardy) that exceeded the allowed absence(s).
Absence Appeal
An absence appeal may be filed for emergency circumstances that arise leading to more than allowed absences. Examples of emergency circumstances considered include: hospitalization of self or immediate family member; death in immediate family; and military deployment. Please contact the Program Manager of the Graduate Counseling program to obtain and complete the appropriate form in such situations. Contact must be made and the appeal form submitted within 7 days of the absence. The absence appeal will be made to the Program Director in writing within 7 days of the absence.
Late Instructor
Should an instructor be late for a class session, students are expected to wait a minimum of 30 minutes and contact Dr. Lahey at slahey@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1751 before leaving. If the instructor arrives within that 30 minute period and any student has left, the student will be counted as absent for the class session. If the instructor does not arrive within the 30 minute period, the students may leave and arrangements will be made to make up those class hours sometime during the time frame of the course or additional assignments will be given.
Cancellation of Onsite Classes
A decision to cancel class due to inclement weather, faculty illness, or other reasons is made by The Office of Graduate and Adult Education. Announcement of cancellation will be posted on the TNU website by 3:00 PM for evening classes. If class has not been cancelled by 3:00 PM, students should report to class at 6:00 PM for evening class. If conditions change after 6:00 PM, the class and faculty member jointly decide appropriate action.
ONLINE STUDENTS
Absence
Students enrolled in online courses are allowed one absence in courses that are five class sessions or more in length and no absences in a course that has four class sessions or fewer. There are no excused absences in these courses.
In an online course, a student is reported absent for a week if there is no participation during that week in an academically-related activity specific to the course, such as attending a synchronous course activity, submitting an academic assignment, taking an assessment or exam, participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or computer-assisted instruction, participating in a study group or group project, participating in an online discussion assigned by the instructor, or interacting with the instructor about academic matters.
Absence Appeal
An absence appeal may be filed for emergency circumstances that arise leading to more than allowed absences. Examples of emergency circumstances considered include: hospitalization of self or immediate family member; death in immediate family; and military deployment. All absence appeals must include documentation for consideration. Please contact your Student Success Advisor to obtain and complete the appropriate form in such situations. Contact must be made and the appeal form submitted within 7 days of the absence.